Formal Dress Forum

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Quoting Anon. from 21:40, 6th Jul 2005
It shouldn't have any vents in the back.

People do that? Bloody hell.

[hr]

Will Watson. Medical Student. Cake Lover.

[BasilSeal]

I need a stiff drink now.

[exnihilo]

Someone explain the reasoning, please, that forbids vents...

[RJ Covino]

I've been watching the recent programmes dedicated to remembrance of those who fell in WWII and I've noticed that both Princes William and Harry have been sporting medals on their lapels (or, more precisely, each has sported a single medal).

Can any of you boffins shed some light as to what they are and/or why they were awarded?

[hr]

http://www.ralphcovino.com

[Al]

It could be the Queen's Jubilee Medal.

[Guest]

Quoting BasilSeal from 14:21, 5th Jul 2005
Such new places as Durham are dubious in many ways!

And Luton *definitely* isn't a university by any standard.

Tell me what would you clasify the LSE (or London University if you like) as?

[deacon brodie]

Quoting exnihilo from 13:20, 8th Jul 2005
Someone explain the reasoning, please, that forbids vents...

Quite. Vents are to be preferred (I prefer a single rather than a double, but that it surely a matter of personal taste). Vents prolong the life and shape of the jacket and the absence of one should at least make one query the quality of the garment although I accept that such absence is not a universal indicator of inferior quality.

I agree with Eliot that single breasted is a safe bet. I bought a double breasted jacket a few years ago and in truth I rather regret that choice.

Of more interest is the shape of lapelles - shoal or pointed?

[Guest]

Many yearss ago, members of the British armed forced stopped wearing their uniforms in public (except at ceromonial occasions), indeed they were banned from doing so for security reasons. However, I understand that in the USA it is, in fact, a requirement that members of the armed forces were uniform when working in washington (i'm not talking about ceromonial kit, just ordinary stuff). Do you think that, given the changing nature of the terrorist threat, troops should now be allowed to wear uniform in public?

[Eliot Wilson]

More than allowed, I think they ought to wear their uniforms. Mind you, I disapprove of clerics who don't wear dog collars - seems somehow underhand.

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Quoting deacon brodie from 11:49, 10th Jul 2005

Quoting exnihilo from 13:20, 8th Jul 2005
Someone explain the reasoning, please, that forbids vents...

Quite. Vents are to be preferred (I prefer a single rather than a double, but that it surely a matter of personal taste). Vents prolong the life and shape of the jacket and the absence of one should at least make one query the quality of the garment although I accept that such absence is not a universal indicator of inferior quality.

I was under the impression that a single vent went with a single breast and a double with a double? Personally, I've always thought that a jacket without a vent looks slightly more attractive as it gives it a smoother profile, although it's probably down to personal taste.

[hr]

Will Watson. Medical Student. Cake Lover.

[Jason Dunn]

Quoting deacon brodie from 11:49, 10th Jul 2005

Of more interest is the shape of lapelles - shoal or pointed?

Shawl or peaked? I have a shawl and I wish I'd gone for peaked. If we are talking single breasted, and I believe we are, then the dinner jacket is the only such single breasted garment that can permissably possess peaked lapels. Personally, I think notched look more formal. Shawl collars look better on smoking jackets and dressing gowns.

A true dinner jacket should not be sport notched lapels.

[JCH]

Quoting deacon brodie from 11:49, 10th Jul 2005

Quoting exnihilo from 13:20, 8th Jul 2005
Someone explain the reasoning, please, that forbids vents

Quite. Vents are to be preferred (I prefer a single rather than a double, but that it surely a matter of personal taste). Vents prolong the life and shape of the jacket and the absence of one should at least make one query the quality of the garment although I accept that such absence is not a universal indicator of inferior quality.

In short the business/sports jackets of to-day are descended from the outdoor riding dress of the mid nineteenth century, and so have vents so they lie well inside a saddle. The evening coat is an indoor garment (even if worn at outdoor functions) and so has a closed waist (i.e. no vents.)

Of more interest is the shape of lapelles - shoal or pointed?

Pointed lapels for double breasted, revere for single, and shawl collars for cads!!

[d.b.]

Quoting from 19:27, 11th Jul 2005
Many yearss ago, members of the British armed forced stopped wearing their uniforms in public (except at ceromonial occasions), indeed they were banned from doing so for security reasons. However, I understand that in the USA it is, in fact, a requirement that members of the armed forces were uniform when working in washington (i'm not talking about ceromonial kit, just ordinary stuff). Do you think that, given the changing nature of the terrorist threat, troops should now be allowed to wear uniform in public?

They already are - a recent development - and troops frequently travel on public transport in uniform unless a specific security threat makes this inappropriate. Indeed officers in the Royal Navy have been positively encouraged to wear uniform in public by the Second Sea Lord.

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

For those who are interested, I infact decided to go for a double-breast. In the jacket's defence, it is mightily well-cut and infact looks better than many of the single-breasted ones on offer.

And I might add that my father's command of the textile industry is second to none. Huzzah for wholesale prices!


[hr]

Will Watson. Medical Student. Cake Lover.

[Jason Dunn]

Quoting JCH from 19:43, 11th Jul 2005
In short the business/sports jackets of to-day are descended from the outdoor riding dress of the mid nineteenth century, and so have vents so they lie well inside a saddle. The evening coat is an indoor garment (even if worn at outdoor functions) and so has a closed waist (i.e. no vents.)

Surely the dinnerjacket is descended from the tailcoat which is a vented riding jacket? Why should the DJ be denied its heritage, when other jackets are allowed to dispay their venting pedigree?

[Eliot Wilson]

A bugbear of mine, which I would be interested to know if others share: those (particularly prevalent in St Andrews) who wear white tie to functions advertised as "black tie" in the belief that it is somehow 'more posh', or, even more basely, that it demonstrates that someone owns white tie.

[hr]

Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[RJ Covino]

Quoting Eliot Wilson from 23:16, 13th Jul 2005
A bugbear of mine, which I would be interested to know if others share: those (particularly prevalent in St Andrews) who wear white tie to functions advertised as "black tie"

So long as we're sharing bugbears, mine is that variety of reprehensible creature who turns up to a "black tie" affair with a ready-made tie at the start but who switches it once he has become sweaty enough to feel the need to open most of the buttons on his shirt for a proper bow tie, worn undone around his neck, pocketing the one he was wearing earlier.

[hr]

http://www.ralphcovino.com

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Quoting RJ Covino from 01:15, 14th Jul 2005
So long as we're sharing bugbears, mine is that variety of reprehensible creature who turns up to a "black tie" affair with a ready-made tie at the start but who switches it once he has become sweaty enough to feel the need to open most of the buttons on his shirt for a proper bow tie, worn undone around his neck, pocketing the one he was wearing earlier.

What a good idea.

[hr]

Will Watson. Medical Student. Cake Lover.

[Anon.]

Quoting Eliot Wilson from 23:16, 13th Jul 2005
A bugbear of mine, which I would be interested to know if others share: those (particularly prevalent in St Andrews) who wear white tie to functions advertised as "black tie" in the belief that it is somehow 'more posh', or, even more basely, that it demonstrates that someone owns white tie.

I would regard it as acceptable to wear a tail coat to a student ball regardless of whether or not the invitation specified "black tie". People get let in in checked trousers and coloured waistcoats, so obviously rigid adherence to the rules is not required. Dinners are a different matter.

[Anon.]

Quoting Dave the Explosive Newt from 01:41, 14th Jul 2005

Quoting RJ Covino from 01:15, 14th Jul 2005
So long as we're sharing bugbears, mine is that variety of reprehensible creature who turns up to a "black tie" affair with a ready-made tie at the start but who switches it once he has become sweaty enough to feel the need to open most of the buttons on his shirt for a proper bow tie, worn undone around his neck, pocketing the one he was wearing earlier.

What a good idea.

Why can't he just learn to tie a tie? What a trog.